This was part of the important activities of the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense on the sidelines of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and French Secretary of State for the Army Geneviève Darrieussecq |
At the event, the two sides highly appreciated the Vietnam-France relationship and expressed their delight at the developments of their strategic partnership over the past time.
They affirmed that the exchange of visits of the two countries’ leaders as well as their solidarity and mutual support during the pandemic time are clear testament to the “exemplary” development of the bilateral relationship with a motto of “effective and substantive cooperation.” These activities are more special as the two countries are preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral diplomatic ties, the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership and 30th anniversary of the bilateral defense cooperation.
The Vietnamese deputy defense minister affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the role of France as a permanent member of the United National Security Council and a key member of the European Union and other important international organizations. He affirmed that Vietnam expects to receive more support from France to fulfill its role as a non-permanent member of the United National Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure and foster cooperation with E.U. in different fields, including defense cooperation.
In addition, General Chien affirmed that Vietnam always supports France’s efforts in maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the region and is ready to help France to foster cooperation with ASEAN. Vietnam also hopes that France will continue promoting its position and role in the region for peace and stability on the basis of respect for international law.
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The two officials witnessing the signing of the Letter of Intent on military medical cooperation |
Vietnam expects to foster cooperation with France in sharing historical memories and overcoming war legacy, which bears humanitarian significance and contributes to building a future of bilateral sustainable and reliable relationship, General Chien added.
For her part, French Secretary of State Geneviève Darrieussecq said that France always highly appreciates Vietnam’s role in the region and hopes to promote cooperation with Vietnam to boost peace, stability and development.
At the event, the two sides expressed delight at the outcomes of bilateral defense cooperation in training, U.N. peacekeeping operations and at the success of French naval ships’ stopovers for technical maintenance.
In the coming time, the two officials agreed to focus on completing legal basis, strengthening cooperation in available fields, supporting each other at multilateral forums, and seeking measures to promote the implementation of projects in defense products. The two countries will closely cooperate to successfully host the second session of the Vietnam-France Strategy and Defense Cooperation Dialogue, contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and bilateral defense ties.
At the event, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister thanked the French official for her warm reception for the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense. He believed that the bilateral defense cooperation will continue developing, meeting the expectation of leaders of the two countries and contributing to peace in each country in particular and the region in general.
The two said that in the coming time, the two sides will accelerate the signing of a cooperation agreement on searching soldiers missing in action and exchanging war keepsakes.
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Members of the two delegations in a joint photo |
On the occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and French Secretary of State Geneviève Darrieussecq witnessed the signing of the Letter of Intent on military medical cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Armed Forces of the French Republic.
Earlier, on October 31 in Edinburgh (U.K.), under the witness of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of agencies and ministries of Vietnam and the U.K., Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien received medical supplies donated by Facing the World Organization to military hospitals under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.
Translated by Tran Hoai